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Reno, Nevada

"The Biggest Little City in the World"
Known for its neon arch and quickie divorces, Reno has reinvented itself from a gambling town into a tech and logistics hub where the Sierra Nevada meets the Great Basin.
Founded 1868 | Population 290,076 | Peak 290,076 (2024) | County Washoe County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Reno, Nevada

1
1931Gambling Legalized and Divorce Laws Liberalized: Nevada legalized gambling and reduced its divorce residency to six weeks, making Reno a destination for both entertainers and those seeking to end marriages quickly.
2
2014Tesla Gigafactory Nearby: Tesla chose a site east of Reno for its massive Gigafactory, bringing thousands of jobs and signaling Reno's transformation into a tech and manufacturing hub.
3
1868Railroad Town Founded: Reno was established as a depot on the Central Pacific Railroad, named after Union General Jesse Lee Reno. The railroad made it a gateway to mining country.
4
1936Casino Industry Pioneers: Harold's Club and Harrah's pioneered modern casino marketing with billboards and celebrity entertainment, establishing Reno as America's original gambling city.
5
2018California Migration Boom: Thousands of Californians relocated to Reno seeking lower costs and taxes, driving rapid population growth and transforming the housing market.
6
1910Johnson-Jeffries Boxing Match: The heavyweight championship fight between Jack Johnson and Jim Jeffries was held in Reno after being banned elsewhere. Johnson's victory triggered racial violence across America.
7
1906University of Nevada Growth: The University of Nevada, Reno expanded significantly, growing into the state's oldest university and a research institution known for earthquake engineering and mining.
8
2000Burning Man Economy: The annual Burning Man festival in the nearby Black Rock Desert generated significant economic impact for Reno, with attendees flooding the city before and after the event.
9
2008Housing Crisis: Reno was among the hardest-hit cities during the housing crash, with property values dropping sharply and foreclosure rates spiking.
10
1970Reno Arch Restored: The iconic 'Biggest Little City in the World' arch over Virginia Street was restored and has become one of the most photographed landmarks in Nevada.
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Population Over Time

0 72,519 145,038 217,557 290,076 1870 1880 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024

Latest News in Reno

News articles will appear here as they're published.

Complete Historical Timeline

1868 Transport
Reno founded as Central Pacific Railroad depot
1874 Culture
University of Nevada established
1906 Industry
Mining boom brings wealth to region
1910 Sports
Johnson-Jeffries prizefight held in Reno
1927 Architecture
'Biggest Little City' arch erected
1931 Government
Gambling legalized; divorce residency reduced
1936 Business
Harold's Club and Harrah's pioneer casino marketing
1950 Business
Reno is America's premier gambling destination
1970 Business
Las Vegas surpasses Reno in gaming revenue
2000 Culture
Burning Man boosts regional economy
2008 Business
Housing crisis hits hard
2014 Business
Tesla Gigafactory announced nearby
2018 Social
California migration drives population surge
2024 Government
Population surpasses 290,000

Did You Know?

1
Reno is farther west than Los Angeles — a fact that surprises most people who assume Nevada is entirely east of California.
2
The Reno arch has displayed 'The Biggest Little City in the World' since 1929, making it one of the longest-running civic slogans in American history.
3
Before Las Vegas existed as a gambling destination, Reno was America's casino capital — it had legal gambling for 15 years before the Las Vegas Strip was built.
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